6^th Annual Surgeons & Orthopedics Conference & Expo

Biography

Biography: Gabriel Enenche Ochube

Abstract

The use of Aphanizomenonflos-Aquac (stem enhance®) to hasten fracture healing in six clinical cases of compound, mid shaft metacarpal, and metatarsal fractures managed by closed reduction using fiber glass cast and three experimental cases of compound mid shaft metacarpal and metatarsal fractures managed by internal reduction using bone plates and cancellous screws was evaluated for sixteen weeks in Adult African donkeys with average age of eight years. Nine donkeys were used for the study; five were treated with AFA, while four were controls that were not given AFA. Animals in the study groups were administered orally 2 capsules of Aphanizomenonflos-Aquac(AFA) (5mg 7/52) daily each for the first two weeks of a month and for 3 consecutive months. However, the control was not given AFA. Both groups were managed clinically using the same post operative parameters. Hematological parameters (PCV, WBC, Total protein, Hemoglobin concentration, total white blood count), calcium and phosphorus serum assay, stem cell estimation (count) were carried out for both groups and results obtained were analyzed statistically. Although hematological values did not alter significantly (P>0.05) for both groups, stem cell count and total protein were significant (P<0.05) in the AFA treated groups. Post operative radiographs were taken at 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16 weeks, at 4 weeks 100% (n=9) of the treated groups had appreciable level of callus being formed, between 8 to 12 weeks, 6 study donkeys (66%) had their fracture line disappearing and bone remodeling had commenced. Both study and control group were subjected to locomotive assessment test 16 weeks post surgery. The study group exhibited good stance, normal gait and absence of pain while the control walked with a limp and there was obvious pain. Although post surgical complication like wound dehiscence and infection occurred in 20% (n=2) of the cases managed without stem enhance, a success rate of 87% was achieved during the entire procedure. The use of AFA significantly (P<0.05) reduced the average healing time to 13±0.5 weeks as against the control that had 27±0.8 weeks as average, although healing time differed slightly based on the method of reduction employed. AFA produced a superior healing quality as evidenced by the post operative gait and absence of infection in the study group, therefore facilitating the early return of the study group to active physical exercise. It is concluded that Aphanizomenonflos-Aquac (AFA) should be used when treating cases of fracture as it has the ability to hasten fracture healing.